PROJECT

THE STRAIGHT STORY

After thinking through all the technicalities, the team at Katherine Elizabeth Designs approached a challenging project from a completely different angle. The formal home on a golf course not only needed updating, but the pantry was awkwardly sandwiched between the kitchen and great room—almost like an elevator shaft that severed the natural flow of the home.

So, priority one—move the pantry behind the kitchen which reconciled the odd angles, aligned the layout and opened up the rooms in terms of light, color and continuity. A coffee nook was created with a café table that overlooks the garden—an unexpected oasis right off the main kitchen.

Next stop—a total kitchen and great room renovation. With lots of extended and blended family members, formality needed to fly out the window. The family wanted a casual, fun atmosphere—achieved through roughhewn ceiling beams, distressed black cabinets and wide oak plank wood floors throughout.

In this more rustic setting, Katie and her team placed a contrasting cream island with a quartz top and new eight-foot olive green prep bar encased with hammered silver metal, walnut butcher block top and trough sink. The beverage bar features see-through cabinets with their gleaming display of glassware.

Capturing the spirit of the traveling nature of this adventurous family, new paintings grace the walls. Complementary window treatments tie the various rooms together. There are long panels with linen sheers that filter light in the great room, body fabrics with leading edge hems in the dining room, coordinating panels in the breakfast nook.

It may have been the initial intent of changing the angles of the home that started the ball rolling for this interesting renovation. However, from that bird's eye view, it turns out that it was the details of mood, texture and spirit that really made this project sing.